Protesters Stage Peaceful Marches in Ferguson, Missouri

(NBC News) For the first time this week Ferguson, Missouri was calm, but not quiet, overnight.

Hundreds of protesters still spilled out into the streets Thursday evening as police still stood guard, but this time it was a march, not the melee that played out over the four nights before.

"There is a different feel, there's not as much tension," said Pastor Michael Robinson. "I feel a great positive force that's in the air. There's a lot of hope."

For the first time since since Michael Brown, an unarmed teenager, was killed during a confrontation with local police, the gas masks and riot gear were gone and state troopers walked with angry residents in a show of unity.